The ride back was quieter than before.
Not peaceful.
Not light.
Just… quiet.
Leah sat close to Izana, her body angled toward him, her eyes fixed on his face.
Watching.
Always watching.
The bandage around his head had darkened slightly.
Not enough to panic.
But enough to make her chest tighten every time she looked at it.
"…Does it still hurt?" she asked softly.
Izana didn't look at her.
"It is manageable."
Leah's brows drew together.
"That's not what I asked."
A pause.
Then—
"Yes."
Her fingers tightened in her lap.
"…You should've said that."
"It is not necessary."
"It is," she said quietly.
But she didn't push further.
Not yet.
—
When they reached the villa, Leah didn't wait.
The moment they stepped inside—
She turned to him.
"Sit."
Izana paused.
Just slightly.
Leah pointed toward the bed.
"Izana."
Her tone left no room for argument.
A brief silence passed.
Then—
He sat.
Leah exhaled softly, already moving.
Her bag dropped onto the bed beside him as she reached for it, pulling out the first aid kit again.
Her movements were faster now.
More urgent.
More precise.
"Don't move," she murmured.
"I am not moving."
"Good."
She stepped closer, her fingers already reaching for the bandage wrapped around his head.
Carefully—
She began to unwrap it.
The fabric loosened slowly.
Layer by layer.
And when the last strip came away—
Leah stilled.
"…Izana."
The dried blood.
The fresh line of red beneath it.
Worse than before.
Her chest tightened.
"This is worse than earlier…"
"It will heal."
Leah's head snapped up.
"That's not the point."
Her voice wasn't loud.
But it was sharp.
Unsteady.
"You're bleeding more than you were before."
"It is controlled."
"You don't know that."
A pause.
Then softer—
"…Stop acting like it doesn't matter."
Izana's gaze shifted slightly.
Not defensive.
Just… attentive.
Watching her.
Leah took a breath.
Then continued, her hands gentler now as she cleaned the wound again.
Careful.
Slow.
Her fingers trembled slightly, but she didn't stop.
"…You got hurt because of me."
The words came out quieter.
Heavier.
Izana didn't hesitate.
"No."
Leah shook her head.
"If I wasn't careless—"
"Leah."
His voice cut through hers.
Not harsh.
But firm.
She stopped.
Her hands stilled against his temple.
He looked at her.
Direct.
Steady.
"You didn't cause this."
Her gaze dropped.
"I tripped—"
"And I caught you."
Her breath caught slightly.
"That's not—"
"It is."
Silence settled between them.
Thick.
Unspoken.
Leah swallowed.
Then continued cleaning the wound, quieter now.
More careful.
When she finished—
She wrapped the bandage again.
More securely this time.
Her fingers lingering just a second longer than necessary.
"…Okay," she whispered.
Then she leaned back slightly.
Studying him.
"You're going to lie down."
"I am fine sitting."
"You're not fine."
A pause.
Then, firmer—
"Lie down."
Izana held her gaze for a moment.
Then—
He leaned back.
Resting against the bed.
Leah didn't relax.
Not yet.
She moved quickly—
Grabbing a glass of water, handing it to him.
"Drink."
He took it.
Didn't argue.
Didn't question.
Just drank.
Leah watched him the entire time.
When he finished—
She took the glass back and set it aside.
Then she sat beside him.
Close.
Too close to be anything but intentional.
For a moment—
Neither of them spoke.
Then—
Izana's eyes closed briefly.
Leah noticed immediately.
"Izana?"
A pause.
His breathing shifted slightly.
Slower.
"…It's a little worse," he admitted.
Quiet.
Controlled.
But there.
Leah's chest tightened instantly.
"How much worse?"
"…Dizzy."
Her stomach dropped.
"You said you were fine."
"It changed."
Leah stood immediately.
"You're not moving."
"I am not—"
"You're not moving," she repeated.
This time sharper.
More urgent.
He didn't argue.
She adjusted the pillows behind him, making him lie back properly.
Her hands steady.
But quick.
Focused.
"You need to stay still."
"I am staying still."
"Good."
She sat back down beside him again.
Closer this time.
Watching him carefully.
Every blink.
Every breath.
The room felt quieter now.
Heavier.
And then—
Her voice softened.
"…You scared me."
Izana's eyes opened.
Slowly.
Leah didn't look away.
"When I saw the blood…"
She hesitated.
Her fingers curled slightly against the edge of the bed.
"I thought—"
She didn't finish.
Didn't need to.
Izana watched her.
Then—
His hand moved.
Slow.
Deliberate.
He reached for hers.
His fingers wrapping around her hand gently.
Warm.
Steady.
"I'm here."
Simple.
Quiet.
Certain.
Leah's eyes dropped to their hands.
Then back to him.
"You don't get to scare me like that."
A small pause.
"Noted."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
There was something different in his voice.
Not distant.
Not cold.
Just… softer.
Leah exhaled quietly.
Her shoulders lowering slightly.
But her hand didn't leave his.
It tightened instead.
—
Time passed slowly.
The light outside dimming.
The room growing softer in shadow.
Izana remained still.
Leah didn't leave his side.
Not once.
Even when he closed his eyes again—
She stayed.
Watching.
Waiting.
Making sure.
—
Night settled fully.
The room dim.
Quiet.
Leah sat beside him, her back against the headboard now, her gaze still fixed on him.
His breathing was even.
Steady.
But she didn't relax.
Not completely.
Carefully—
She leaned slightly closer.
Her fingers lifting.
Brushing lightly against the edge of the bandage.
Checking.
Still there.
Still okay.
"You're awake."
Leah froze.
Her hand still against his head.
"…So are you."
His eyes didn't open.
Not yet.
"I was."
Leah huffed softly.
"…I'm making sure you still are."
A pause.
Then—
His eyes opened slowly.
Looking at her.
"You haven't slept."
"I'm not tired."
"That is not true."
Leah didn't respond.
Because he wasn't wrong.
Izana shifted slightly.
Careful.
His arm moved—
Wrapping gently around her waist.
Pulling her closer.
Leah hesitated.
"…You should rest."
"I am."
"That's not—"
"Leah."
She stopped.
He looked at her.
His gaze softer now.
Less guarded.
"Come here."
She didn't argue.
Not this time.
Leah moved carefully.
Laying beside him.
Close.
But cautious.
Her head resting lightly against his shoulder.
Her body angled so she wouldn't disturb him.
Izana adjusted his hold.
Gentle.
Protective.
Even now.
Leah let out a quiet breath.
"…Next time…"
A pause.
Her voice softer.
"…Let me fall."
Izana didn't hesitate.
"No."
Leah closed her eyes briefly.
"…Izana."
"Never."
Simple.
Certain.
Final.
Leah didn't argue again.
She just shifted slightly closer.
Her hand resting lightly against his chest.
Feeling the steady rhythm beneath it.
Still there.
Still real.
Her breathing slowed.
Matched his.
And finally—
Slowly—
She drifted.
Not fully asleep.
But close enough.
Safe enough.
And this time—
She didn't wake to check on him.
Because his arm around her—
His steady presence—
Was enough.
He was here.
And for now—
That was all she needed.